Personalization Restore Classic Start Menu in Windows 11


  • Staff
Start_banner.png

The method in this tutorial no longer works starting with Windows 11 build 22000.65.


The Start menu contains shortcuts of all your apps, settings, and files.

Windows 11 comes with a new Start menu without live tiles.

If you do not like the new Start menu in Windows 11, you can restore the classic Start menu similar to the Windows 10 Start menu.

This tutorial will show you how to restore the classic Start menu for your account in Windows 11.

EXAMPLE: Default and classic Start menu in Windows 11

Default_Start_menu_in_Windows_11.jpg
Classic_Start_menu_in_Windows_11.jpg




Here's How:

The downloadable .bat files below will modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Start_ShowClassicMode DWORD

0 or <delete> = Default Start menu
1 = Classic Start menu


1 Do step 2 (classic) or step 3 (default) below for what you would like to do.


2 To Restore Classic Start Menu in Windows 11

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Restore_classic_Start_menu_in_Windows_11.bat​



3 To Restore Default Start Menu in Windows 11

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.

Restore_default_Start_menu_in_Windows_11.bat​



4 Save the .bat file to your desktop.

5 Unblock the .bat file.

6 Run the .bat file

7 You will now notice your screen flicker and a command prompt quickly opens and closes as the explorer process is restarted to apply the registry changes.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .bat file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink
 

Attachments

  • Start_menu.jpg
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  • Restore_classic_Start_menu_in_Windows_11.bat
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  • Restore_default_Start_menu_in_Windows_11.bat
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  • Start.png
    Start.png
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Last edited:
Click to expand...
John,

Thanks for those suggestions. I've noted them all for investigation.

Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3447
Cool.

However, I really do hope they bring that functionality back - I missed in your ss the first 10 times I looked at it that you were clicking on the bar beside the Menus 'button' - and then the light bulb went off.

I doubt they will bring it back - but it's still an early dev build, so.....
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 23H2 Current build
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HomeBrew
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
    Motherboard
    MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE
    Memory
    4 * 32 GB - Corsair Vengeance 3600 MHz
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    EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti XC3 ULTRA GAMING (12G-P5-3955-KR)
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    2x Eve Spectrum ES07D03 4K Gaming Monitor (Matte) | Eve Spectrum ES07DC9 4K Gaming Monitor (Glossy)
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    3x 3840 x 2160
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    3x Samsung 980 Pro NVMe PCIe 4 M.2 2 TB SSD (MZ-V8P2T0B/AM) } 3x Sabrent Rocket NVMe 4.0 1 TB SSD (USB)
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling’s Silencer Series 1050 Watt, 80 Plus Platinum
    Case
    Fractal Design Define 7 XL Dark ATX Full Tower Case
    Cooling
    NZXT KRAKEN Z73 73.11 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (3x 120 mm push top) + Air 3x 140mm case fans (pull front) + 1x 120 mm (push back) and 1 x 120 mm (pull bottom)
    Keyboard
    SteelSeries Apex Pro Wired Gaming Keyboard
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    Logitech MX Master 3S | MX Master 3 for Business
    Internet Speed
    AT&T LightSpeed Gigabit Duplex Ftth
    Browser
    Nightly (default) + Firefox (stable), Chrome, Edge
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    Defender + MB 5 Beta
  • Operating System
    ChromeOS Flex Dev Channel (current)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E5470
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6300U CPU @ 2.40GHz, 2501 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
    Motherboard
    Dell
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel(R) HD Graphics 520
    Sound Card
    Intel(R) HD Graphics 520 + RealTek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell laptop display 15"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 * 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 128GB M.2 22300 drive
    INTEL Cherryville 520 Series SSDSC2CW180A 180 GB SATA III SSD
    PSU
    Dell
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    Dell
    Cooling
    Dell
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3S (shared w. Sys 1) | Dell TouchPad
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Internet Speed
    AT&T LightSpeed Gigabit Duplex Ftth
dupek said:
Yep, win10 is "classic". In 10 I use classic shell to get win7 start button. Does work in win11
Click to expand...
I have Classic Shell too. Good to know it'll work in Win11. :wink:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Home 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Aurora R7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 8700K
    Motherboard
    Z370
    Memory
    32GB 2666MHz DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidea GeForce GTX 1080Ti
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP 27es / ACER 27
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD (boot)
    Toshiba 1TB DT01ACA100 SATA (storage)
    Seagate Backup 4TB (Macrium)
dupek said:
In 10 I use classic shell ... Does work in win11
Click to expand...
Sorry, are you saying, "It does work in Win11.", or are you asking, "Does it work in Win11?"?

Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3447
z3r010 said:
I don't understand this obsession with the start menu, the only time I go near it is once a week or so to reboot my pc, everything useful is pinned to my taskbar or I use the search.
Click to expand...
I completely agree!
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Homebuilt
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Crosshair VII Hero (WiFi)
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Education
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 7773
    CPU
    Intel i7-8550U
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce MX150
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 512GB NVMe SSD
    SK Hynix 512GB SATA SSD
    Internet Speed
    Fast!
Fair warning for those that want install "classic shell" in win11. It will add the start button on the left. It my get in conflict with win11 start button if you switch taskbar to left
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 11
Restore classic no longer seems to work with the July 8th 22000.65 build
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Photoshop/Game/tinker build
    CPU
    Intel i9 13900KS 5.7-6GHz P cores/4.4GHz E/5GHz cache
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero
    Memory
    64GB (2x32) G.skill Trident Z5 RGB 6400 @6800 MT/s 32-39-39-52
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 4070 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio, Vanatoo Transparent One; Klipsch R-12SWi Sub; Creative Pebble Pro Minimilist
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Eizo CG2730, ViewSonic VP2768
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440p x 2
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB nvme, SK-Hynix 2 TB P41 nvme, Raid 0: 1TB 850 EVO + 1TB 860 EVO SSD. Sabrent USB-C DS-SC5B 5-bay docking station: 6TB WDC Black, 6TB Ironwolf Pro; 2x 2TB WDC Black
    PSU
    850W Seasonic Vertex PX-850
    Case
    Fractal Design North XL Mesh, Black Walnut
    Cooling
    EKWB 360 Nucleus Dark AIO w/Phanteks T30-120 fans, 2 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax case fans, 3x50mm fans cooling memory
    Keyboard
    Glorious GMMK TKL mechanical, lubed modded -meh
    Mouse
    Logitech G305 wireless gaming
    Internet Speed
    380 Mb/s down, 12 Mb/s up
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender, Macrium Reflect 8 ;-)
    Other Info
    Runs hot. LOL
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple 13" Macbook Pro 2020 (m1)
    CPU
    Apple M1
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Browser
    Firefox
geneo said:
Restore classic no longer seems to work with the July 8th 22000.65 build
Click to expand...
It's no longer working for me either. :(
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
was so excited when i woke up getting the notice from windows update for the new build...

was hoping there would some bits of improvement from the taskbar/explorer....

and....

mygod. im just gonna laugh it out.

effin bs.


:(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 x64 Build 22621
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer
geneo said:
Restore classic no longer seems to work with the July 8th 22000.65 build
Click to expand...
I'm more concerned with 'Classic Start'.
WTF is 'Restore Classic'?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Home 64bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Alienware Aurora R7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 8700K
    Motherboard
    Z370
    Memory
    32GB 2666MHz DDR4
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidea GeForce GTX 1080Ti
    Sound Card
    NVIDIA High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP 27es / ACER 27
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD (boot)
    Toshiba 1TB DT01ACA100 SATA (storage)
    Seagate Backup 4TB (Macrium)
Corona said:
I'm more concerned with 'Classic Start'.
WTF is 'Restore Classic'?
Click to expand...
Restore Classic... is the topic of this thread, that's WTF.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    DIY Photoshop/Game/tinker build
    CPU
    Intel i9 13900KS 5.7-6GHz P cores/4.4GHz E/5GHz cache
    Motherboard
    Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Dark Hero
    Memory
    64GB (2x32) G.skill Trident Z5 RGB 6400 @6800 MT/s 32-39-39-52
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus ROG Strix 4070 Ti OC
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio, Vanatoo Transparent One; Klipsch R-12SWi Sub; Creative Pebble Pro Minimilist
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Eizo CG2730, ViewSonic VP2768
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440p x 2
    Hard Drives
    WDC SN850 1TB nvme, SK-Hynix 2 TB P41 nvme, Raid 0: 1TB 850 EVO + 1TB 860 EVO SSD. Sabrent USB-C DS-SC5B 5-bay docking station: 6TB WDC Black, 6TB Ironwolf Pro; 2x 2TB WDC Black
    PSU
    850W Seasonic Vertex PX-850
    Case
    Fractal Design North XL Mesh, Black Walnut
    Cooling
    EKWB 360 Nucleus Dark AIO w/Phanteks T30-120 fans, 2 Noctua NF-A14 Chromax case fans, 3x50mm fans cooling memory
    Keyboard
    Glorious GMMK TKL mechanical, lubed modded -meh
    Mouse
    Logitech G305 wireless gaming
    Internet Speed
    380 Mb/s down, 12 Mb/s up
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender, Macrium Reflect 8 ;-)
    Other Info
    Runs hot. LOL
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Apple 13" Macbook Pro 2020 (m1)
    CPU
    Apple M1
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1600
    Browser
    Firefox
Same here, Start Menu returned to default and no obvious way back. That would be an epic fail because I rely on the Start Menu so heavily.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11 Pro x64 24H2 Dev
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 7760 Mobile Precision 17"
    CPU
    Intel i5
    Motherboard
    Unknown
    Memory
    8Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Hard Drives
    2 x 256Gb SSD
    PSU
    Dell 240 watt
    Mouse
    Dell Premier Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    50Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Default Microsoft Security
The Winareo Tweak does not work for me no more as well.

I hope some one comes up with a solution I much prefer classic start menu full screen and grouped Apps.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win11
ldrvisions2016 said:
The Winareo Tweak does not work for me no more as well.

I hope some one comes up with a solution I much prefer classic start menu full screen and grouped Apps.
Click to expand...
Most definitely. I would urge everyone to report this via the Feedback Hub as well.

I'm a bit out of my comfort zone altering reg keys but I did look at the key before and after the update (I have an image backup chain and so could undo the problem. Also deferred updates until August 8th).

These are the keys from before and after the update and I double checked they are not mixed up. The Classic key seems to have a 0 as value and the value changes after the update to a 1.

Those in the working system seem to be the opposite of the values mentioned at the thread start for a system with Classic Start Menu.

After the update I do indeed see a 1 which agrees with the TUT but of course it is not working. What I am saying is the update has changed the 0 to a 1

I also exported the working key from before the update and tried applying it after the update but no good. Curiously the key from after the update does not seem to change the Classic menu back to Default when it is applied.
 

Attachments

  • Classic Start Menu Reg Key.jpg
    Classic Start Menu Reg Key.jpg
    65.7 KB · Views: 138
  • Default Start Menu Reg Key.jpg
    Default Start Menu Reg Key.jpg
    42.9 KB · Views: 140

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W11 Pro x64 24H2 Dev
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell 7760 Mobile Precision 17"
    CPU
    Intel i5
    Motherboard
    Unknown
    Memory
    8Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Hard Drives
    2 x 256Gb SSD
    PSU
    Dell 240 watt
    Mouse
    Dell Premier Bluetooth
    Internet Speed
    50Mbps
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Default Microsoft Security
Noooooooooo I want the Win10 start menu back 😭😭
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 8700 @ 3.20GHz Coffee Lake 14nm Technology
    Motherboard
    MEDION B360H4-EM (U3E1)
    Memory
    16,0GB Dual-Channel Unknown @ 1197MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    3071MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    TCL SMART TV
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160 60 Hz
    Hard Drives
    931GB TOSHIBA DT01ACA100 (SATA )
    119GB FORESEE 128GB SSD (SATA (SSD))
    1862GB Western Digital WD Elements 10B8 USB Device (USB (SATA)
    3725GB Western Digital WD My Passport 25E1 USB Device (USB (SATA) (SSD)
    1862GB Western Digital WD Elements 25A3 USB Device (USB (SATA))
    Browser
    Firefox Beta 64 Bits
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Is StarkIsBack working for you on Windows 11 22000.100?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS Vivobook S15
    CPU
    i5-8265U
    Memory
    12 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce MX150 2GB
    Antivirus
    NOD32

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS ROG Strix
  • Operating System
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS VivoBook
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